FROM OUR EXCHANGES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 170, 20 August 1879, Page 3

FROM OUR EXCHANGES.

At breakfast, one in that quiet and comfortable old the “ White Ewan,” m York, a foreigner made quick despatch of the eggs. Thrusting bis spoon into the middle, he drew out the yolk, devoured it, and passed it on to the next. When be had got to his seventh egg, _an old farmer, who had already been prejudiced against monsieur by his moustachois, could brook the extravagance no longer, and, speaking up, said, “ Why, sir yon . leave all the white. How is the landlady to afford k> provide hreakiast at thau iaix? ? Vv,” replied the outside barbarian, you vonldn’t hab mo eat de vite ? De yolk is de chicken de vite de fodders. Am I to make a bolster of my belly ?” The fanner was dnmfoundered. Tlic rumour that a white woman was resident amongst a tribe of blacks in the Cooktown district is supported by the following information sent to the ‘ Brisbane Courier’ by a reliable, correspondent from Northern Queensland; — t; I se e that you have noticed a report that a white woman has again been seen amongst the blacks near wing s Plains in this district, and as the facts are rather startling 1 may as well recount them. It appears that two men named John Hoyle and Frank Grainger were out towards the coast ranges, south of Cooktown, near Mount Peter Botte, and came upon a lot ol hi cks. One woman especially took their attention, and Doyle, after a chase, succeeded in catching her. He states distinctly that she is either a white woman or possibly half-caste, but be inclines to the belief that she is a white, her skin being darkened and reddened by exposure. She could not speak English, but vaubered like a gin, and made every effort to get away. She is aged possibly 40, and quite grey. Whilst examining her he found that the blacks had got his mate bailed up in a scrub, and had to go to 3ns relief, thus letting her escape, and all effort to find her again were fruitless. Doyle bears the character of being a ' remarkable quiet man, not given to ‘ blowing.’ He is certain tin's is a European who has been years among the blacks, and says he will stake his existence she is not an aboriginal. The latest rendering of the proverb is “ People who live in glass houses, and who want to throw their arms around the girl should first pull down the blinds.”

Sir Howland Hill was presented at his residence in Hampstead , witn the honorary freedom -of the City of London, in accordance with a resolution of the Common Council passed last January. In veplv Sir Roland said he had lived to see his nlans crowned w:ih a sueccssr. far exceeding Ins most sanguine expectations, gave an interesting account of In's efforts to reform (lie postal system. His feeble state has confined him to Ins house for nearly four years.

The old saying that cats have nine fives, has had recently another exemplification. In the news received from China by the Press Agency the- fact is recorded of an eagle swooping down and taking possession of “ pussy,” and carrying it away into the air. When, however. a considerable distance in its aerial passa.gr> had been readied, the cat gave a strong 'expression of its disapproval by

sticking its claws with great vigour into the breast of the eagle. The result was that the latter" came to grief and to earth simultaneously, whilst “ pussy” wont on its way rejoicing, as if nothing very serkns had occurred. The Police and the Press have not got •dong well together in Wellington since Inspector Atcheson loft, ami now a regulation is in force which'prohibits any member of the force from giving information to anyone of the Fourth Estate, under a penalty of L 5, or a recommendation for immediate dismissal. To the superior officers alone is reserved the privilege of conveying information to the Press, which, by the wav, is not always oasv to obtain.

Sir George Grey is to stand for Christchurch. It is probable that he will go in with “flying colors.”'